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The Exoneration Hustle
City Journal ^ | 7/5/2022 | Thomas Hogan

Posted on 07/06/2022 8:20:26 AM PDT by Blurp2

This is an article that purports to describe a "new phenomenon," the freeing of guilty men by aggressively progressive prosecutors.

Unfortunately, I can't describe the article as anything but a pack of lies. Mr. Hogan cannot be unaware that plea bargaining is a common method of conviction, in this country, and he must also know that, every year by this process, thousands are sent to prison who, if they had trials, would be walking free, and again, every year by this process, thousands walk free who, if they had trials, would be going to prison for long stretches. This is not a phenomenon that has escaped anyone's notice who works in law enforcement, unless they really are paying no attention whatever, in which case they wouldn't be writing about it.

People in the know don't dispute what I've just said. They do bring up the fact that legislatures are well aware of the phenomenon and, if they felt the need, certainly could do something about it, and they haven't. Those who support the process point to this silent permissiveness, on the part of legislatures, as justification for the whole deal.

But that anyone should pretend to be outraged, that a prosecutor might free someone who is guilty, or imprison someone who is not - this is dishonest in the extreme. That's how we do things, here in America. And you can forget about your Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial, too. You can sit in jail for a year and a half before you get a trial, if the prosecutor so chooses. Longer, for all I know.

In Germany, everyone gets a trial. They don't put people in jail or prison without trials, in Germany. We certainly could do as they do. We have chosen not to. That says something unpleasant about us, I think.


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1 posted on 07/06/2022 8:20:26 AM PDT by Blurp2
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To: Blurp2

Trials are messy things. One change would help, to empower selected juries to hear multiple cases. This could keep the right of challenge for cause and forego the extensive voir dire process.


2 posted on 07/06/2022 8:29:38 AM PDT by Louis Foxwell (Seek refuge in Christ. He is your sword and shield.)
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To: Blurp2

This semi-literate letter to the editor is a remarkable example of “confession through projection”.

Oh, and welcome to Free Republic.


3 posted on 07/06/2022 8:37:16 AM PDT by absalom01 (You should do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, and you should never wish to do less.)
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To: absalom01

” “confession through projection” “

...had to look it up, still can’t figure it out, sorry! Apparently it has something to do with ?? gaslighting?? And thanks.


4 posted on 07/06/2022 9:16:29 AM PDT by Blurp2 (...though it's tawdry and plain, it's a lovely old lane...)
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To: Louis Foxwell

“Trials are messy things.”

...sounds like you know more about than I do. But you know, it SAYS in the CONSTITUTION that... never mind.


5 posted on 07/06/2022 9:18:07 AM PDT by Blurp2 (...though it's tawdry and plain, it's a lovely old lane...)
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To: Blurp2

It’s when your accusations against others are actually a subconscious confession of your own misdeeds. It’s usually not apparent at all to the people making the confession, but readily apparent to most people hearing it.

Like if I were to say “that little league coach just wants an excuse to be around all those sexy 10 year olds!”... it would not convince many that the little league coach was a pedophile, but it would convince plenty of people that I might be one.


6 posted on 07/06/2022 12:41:43 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: Boogieman

“It’s when your accusations against others are actually a subconscious confession of your own misdeeds.”

Woah... that’s pretty good. Thanks!


7 posted on 07/06/2022 3:04:03 PM PDT by Blurp2 (...though it's tawdry and plain, it's a lovely old lane...)
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To: Blurp2

Proverbs 24:23-25 (NIV)

23 These also are sayings of the wise:

To show partiality in judging is not good:
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and rich blessing will come on them.


8 posted on 07/06/2022 7:24:22 PM PDT by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite its unfashionability)
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